Adolescence Education

The college offers the master's degree in education in programs
that qualify graduates for New York State teacher certification in
adolescence education (7–12) and adolescence and special education
(7–12).

Adolescence Education: Qualifying for Initial
Certification

This is a 42-credit program designed specifically for college
graduates holding an appropriate liberal arts degree in English,
mathematics, science or social studies who have not had formal
training in professional education and who wish to prepare for a
teaching career in adolescence education (7-12).

Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be
recommended to the New York State Education Department for initial
certification. The candidate shall submit evidence of having
achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State
Teacher Certification Examination liberal arts and sciences test,
written assessment of teaching skills, and content specialty
test(s) in the area of the certificate, which shall be taken within
one year prior to the candidate’s applying to the department for
the initial certificate.

The initial certificate shall be valid for three years from its
effective date. For the professional certificate, the candidate
shall successfully complete three school years of teaching
experience, or its equivalent. A minimum of 42 credits is required
for the master's degree in adolescence education.

Dual Adolescence Education and Literacy (Grades 5 - 12)

Upon completion of the above requirements, candidates may apply
to continue to the companion certificate in literacy (grades 5-12)
leading to an additional New York State certification. Students are
recommended for each certification in separate semesters.

Students in the companion literacy program are required to
complete ED 5621 (Applied Research in Literacy Remediation -
Adolescence). This course is a reflective practicum that is the
culmination of the certificate program for teachers of literacy
grade 5-12. The practicum involves tutoring diverse pupils with
literacy problems, including native English speakers with
disabilities and pupils who are English language learners.

Adolescence Education and Special Education: Qualifying for Initial
Certification

This is a 48-credit program designed specifically for college
graduates holding an appropriate liberal arts degree in English,
mathematics, science, or social studies who have not had formal
training in professional education and who wish to prepare for a
teaching career in adolescence education (7–12) and special
education (7–12).

Upon successful completion of the program, candidates will be
recommended to the New York State Education Department for initial
certification. The candidate shall submit evidence of having
achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State
Teacher Certification Examination liberal arts and sciences test,
written assessment of teaching skills, and content specialty
test(s) in the area of the certificate, which shall be taken within
one year prior to the candidate’s applying to the department for
the initial certificate.

The initial certificate shall be valid for three years from its
effective date. For the professional certificate, the candidate
shall successfully complete three school years of teaching
experience, or its equivalent. A minimum of 48 credits is required
for the master's degree in adolescence and special education.

For more information about the master of science in education,
including admission requirements, application requirements, and
courses, please go to the MSMC Graduate Catalog.

You can reach the office of the graduate program coordinator for
teacher education at 845-569-3149.